JUDGEMENT
D.N.PATEL, J. -
(1.) HAVING heard counsel for both the sides, Rule.
(2.) SO far as question of interim relief is concerned, looking to the facts and circumstances of the case, especially looking to paragraph Nos. 9 and 10 of the counter affidavit, filed by the Union of
India in W.P. (C) No. 45 of 2011, as quoted herein below, it appears that there is, prima facie, a
case in favour of the Petitioner.
9. It is submitted that the Ministry of Environment and Forests has issued a moratorium on 13.1.2010 restricting environmental clearances for new polluting industries/projects in 43 critically polluted industrial clusters which include only one cluster i.e. Dhanbad in the State of Jharkhand and not the Barajamada industrial cluster where the iron ore crusher of the Petitioner is located. 10. It is submitted that the notification dated 27.7.2010 issued by Forest and Environment Department, Govt. of Jharkhand, Ranchi is not in consonance with O.M. dated 13.1.2010 issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forest.
The State of Jharkhand has issued a direction dated 27th July, 2010, which has been referred in the aforesaid paragraph Nos. 9 and 10 of the counter affidavit, mainly relying upon the office
memorandum, issued by the Central Government dated 13th January, 2010. Thus, it appears that
the direction issued by the State Government dated 27th July, 2010 is based upon some
misinterpretation or misreading of the office memorandum, issued by the Central Government
dated 13th January, 2010. Therefore, the subsequent order, issued by the Jharkhand State
Pollution Control Board at Annexure -4 to the memo of this petition is also sailing in the same boat,
because the impugned order passed in August, 2010, based upon the direction, issued by the
State of Jharkhand dated 27th July, 2010. Thus, there is a prima facie case in favour of the
present Petitioner. Moreover, looking to the requirement of Section 21(4), if there is any breach of
any of the conditions upon which, the consent was given by the Pollution Control Board, then the
State Pollution Control Board can refuse further consent after expiry of the earlier consent. In the
facts of the present case, in advance, the State has declared its intention not to grant consent or
not to renew the consent, without pointing out, any breach of any of the conditions. Moreover, as
per the 2nd Proviso to Sub -Section 4 of Section 21 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act, 1981, before refusing further consent under the 1st Proviso of Sub -Section 4 of Section 21, a
reasonable opportunity of being heard ought to have been given to the Petitioner. Prima facie,
looking to the facts of the case, it appears that the State Government is not alleging any breach of
the condition of the consent,previously given by the Respondent -Board, nor any opportunity of
being heard has been given by the Respondent -Board to the Petitioner before issuing the
direction, as stated in the impugned order in August, 2010.Balance of convenience is also in
favour of the Petitioner as the Petitioner, which is a working unit, has never received any notice for
breach of any of the conditions, upon which the consent was previously given by the
Respondent -Board and the Petitioner has invested sizable amount towards the establishment of
the crushing unit. In view of these facts, an irreparable loss will also be caused to the Petitioner, if
the stay, as prayed for, is not granted.
(3.) I therefore stay the operation, implementation and execution of the impugned order, passed by the Respondents -Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board, dated 30th August, 2010, which is at
Annexure -4 to the memo of this writ petition, till the next date of hearing.;